Ngige who gave the assurance  in a chat with newsmen in Awka, said the feat would be possible in view of the numerous programmes put in place by the Federal Government.

He also promised an increase in the minimum wages of civil servants in 2017, adding that the wage under the Buhari-led administration would not be like any previous pay rise in the country.

Ngige said the various committees handling the issue are all working assiduously to realise the objective, with some at the final stages of their execution.

“Minimum wage is a constitutional issue and is on the exclusive list. The Nigerian workers are entitled to a review of their pay under the constitution of the Federal  Republic of Nigeria.

“It won’t be like any other minimum wage in this country. This one will give powers to workers in both the private and public sectors to take their employers to court to enforce their constitutional rights,” the minister stated.

According to him, the new minimum wage would be couched in such a way that any employer of labour in the nation who would pay his worker below the minimum wage would be liable.

The minister also promised resumption of work on the second Niger Bridge, Ngige attributing the delay on the project to "the trouble brought about by some people who were asking for compensation on their land before work could commence on the project".